Department of Health Reconciliation Action Plan

The 2013-2017 Reconciliation Action Plan promotes the Department’s commitment to reconciliation in three key areas: as a leading employer; as a leader in health and ageing policy development and program development; and as a leader in partnering across government.

Page last updated: 28 August 2015

Why do we have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?

Our department is in a key position to contribute to improving the health status and access to high quality services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) and to close the life expectancy gap. To support us in our work, the 2013-2017 RAP highlights our commitment to reconciliation and details activities to build positive relationships and provide equitable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s).

As a large government department, we want to continue to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Our RAP commits the department to actively nurturing an inclusive culture that values the contribution, skills and knowledge of all staff and promotes values embraced by, and significant to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

To do this, the department has committed to 16 significant targets with the objective to review our progress and build on our achievements every 12 months up until 2017. The department’s new RAP 2013-2017 was launched by the Secretary during NAIDOC Week, on 10 July 2013, and has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

Reconciliation Australia is the key external stakeholder for RAPs, providing advice to agencies and formal endorsement of final plans.

What’s in the RAP?

The department's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP):

details activities to build positive relationships and provide equitable opportunities with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s)

provides a framework with a clear indication on how the department strives to build reconciliation in 2013-2014

explores how reconciliation can advance our business and organisational objectives that contribute toward the national effort to close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous peoples

commits us to continue to promote an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, cultures, heritage and aspirations within the department

supports and guides us as members of staff to build positive relationships between all Australians and

demonstrates that as a department we continue to be genuinely committed to reconciliation.